Midterm elections are right around the corner and voter turnout during midterm elections is notoriously low. Only about 40% of eligible voters participate in midterms, while during presidential elections it ranges from 50-60%.
The importance of all eligible voters showing up to vote, in midterm and presidential elections, is not lost on any of us. When November 6th rolls around, it’s important that as many people as possible have the opportunity to get to the polls to vote; however for low-income and poverty-level individuals, it’s easier said than done.
For many of our residents who work hourly or part-time jobs, their employers do not give them time off from work to vote. Taking time from their day to go to their polling place to vote could mean a loss of wages for many. Whereas, many full-time employees have the opportunity to leave work and vote.
To compound the situation, many people, including some of our residents, do not have transportation to take them to their designated polling place. For those who use public transportation here in Baltimore, you know how limited the bus lines can be, which can make going anywhere a full-day experience.
We are committed to ensuring our residents know how they can register to vote and where their polling places are and to giving them options on how they can vote. We need to work together to ensure that more low-income communities and individuals are voting on election day!